The U.S. Constitution--AP Gov Notes.docx - The U.S....

The U.S. Constitution
The Oldest Written Constitution in the World (1789)
Elastic Clause and Amendments
● Constitution - the fundamental principles of a government and the basic
structures and procedures by which the government operates to fulfill those
principles. May be written or unwritten. “A living document”-- Changes with time.
○ Preamble -- statement of the govt's mission. (35)
○ Foundation structures
○ Operating procedures
● Look back at the very beginning of your notes for the history towards
independence. (NATURAL RIGHTS!!! Social Contract!! Articles of Confederation)
Creation of the Constitution
● Republic - A government that derives its authority from the people and in which
citizens elect government officials to represent them in the process by which laws
are made; a representative democracy.
● Confederation - a union of independent states in which each state retains its
sovereignty (authority). Agrees to work collaboratively on matters the states
expressly agree to delegate to central governmental body.
● Virginia Plan - (favors big states)
○ Bicameral legislature - Legislature (Congress) comprising of two parts,
called Chambers.
■ Numbers would be by state’s proportion.
■ The people would elect the House of Representatives (lower
house). Then the HR would elect the Senate (upper house).
○ Executive is elected by the Legislative Branch.
○ National Judiciary Branch
● New Jersey Plan - (favors smaller states)
○ Unicameral Legislature - a legislative body with a single chamber. All
states would have an equal voice, representation.
○ Executive Branch would be several people elected by the Legislative
Branch. (more than one president)
○ S.C. would be chosen by the Executive Branch.
Connecticut (The Great) Compromise
● Bicameral Legislature
○ House of Representatives: based on state population. 435
○ Senate: two per state. 100

■ Compromise ⅗ - Agreement from the North to enforce property
tax, while the Southern states get representation for 3 out of 15
slaves in Congress.
Core of the Government Functions
● Separation of Powers - The Constitution's delegation of authority for the primary
governing functions among three branches of government so that no one group
of government officials controls all the governing functions.
● Checks and Balances - a system in which each branch of government can
monitor and limit the functions of the other branches.
Articles of the Constitution
● Article I -- (Congress/Legislative Branch) - Can propose a piece of legislation,
a bill , to become a law. This requires a simple majority in both the House of Reps
and the Senate.
● Article II -- (President/Executive Branch) - Enforces laws.
○ Veto - the president’s rejection of a bill, which is sent back to Congress
with the president’s objection noted.